Bengals Statistics

Browns Statistics

Bears at Vikings

Last year, the Bears were decimated by one injury after another, most notably to QB Jay Cutler.
The injury curse has struck again, this time with star LB Brian Urlacher (hamstring). That doesn’t
bode well for a team that has lost three of four, faces an NFC North road game today and home game
next week (Green Bay). Vikings RB Adrian Peterson will look to exploit Urlacher’s absence. Coach
Leslie Frazier said he is staying with struggling QB Christian Ponder.

Ravens at Redskins

The “Battle of the Beltway” has Baltimore winning the AFC North by beating Washington and having
both the Steelers and Bengals lose. The Ravens clinch a playoff spot with a win and one of those
AFC North rivals losing. Washington has won three in a row to close to one game of the Giants atop
the NFC East. Rookie QB Robert Griffin III runs a hybrid offense that has been effective on the
ground and in the air.

Chargers at Steelers

The Steelers remain vulnerable until QB Ben Roethlisberger is fully healthy, but the defense
might be good enough to get them into the playoffs. San Diego has lost four straight and seven of
eight as it plays out the string in perhaps the final season for coach Norv Turner and general
manager A.J. Smith.

Titans at Colts

If Indianapolis beats Tennessee and wins next week at Houston — a tall order, that one — it
could clinch a playoff spot. Winners of six of their past seven games, the Colts are coming off an
exhilarating victory that they capped with a final-play TD at Detroit. Tennessee has nothing so
noteworthy in its resume, although it did force Indy to OT on Oct. 28 before losing 19-13.

Jets at Jaguars

Jets QB Mark Sanchez remains under center, and not necessarily on a short leash given the backup
situation. New York has become sloppy in virtually every offensive area. Apart from Sanchez, the
running game isn’t much, the WRs have been pedestrian and the offensive line has continued to
slump. Yet the Jets’ remaining opponents, beginning with the AFC-worst Jaguars, have a 15-33
record.

Falcons at Panthers

The Falcons barely escaped against the Panthers in Week 4. Atlanta has clinched the NFC South
but desperately wants home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. It could wrap that up with a
victory and some help — losses by Chicago, Green Bay and San Francisco. Despite their record,
Falcons haven’t overwhelmed anyone. It will take playoff victories to make an impression, not wins
over the likes of the Panthers.

Eagles at Buccaneers

The Eagles can’t get the season over quickly enough, but Tampa Bay still has big plans. Losses
to the Falcons and Broncos the past two weeks were damaging, but the Bucs remain in the wild-card
chase and can’t afford a stumble here. Their productive offense could tear through the Eagles
defense; keep an eye on WR Vincent Jackson, who leads the NFL at 20.3 yards per reception. Philly
allows 233 yards per game through the air.

Rams at Bills

St. Louis probably wishes it could face San Francisco more often, after a tie and a win against
the 49ers. This week, though, it’s Buffalo, which runs the ball well but has trouble stopping it.
It could be a productive day for both Rams RB Steven Jackson and Bills RB C.J. Spiller. St. Louis
could play a role in who gets an NFC wild-card slot: they face Minnesota, Tampa Bay and Seattle the
next three weeks.

Dolphins at 49ers

San Francisco has been sloppy the past two weeks, endangering what once was a big lead in the
NFC West. The 49ers had 21 penalties in those games (out of 88 total for the season), and eight
times were called for offensive holding. Those issues must be cleaned up before the 49ers visit New
England and Seattle the next two weeks. Miami must find a way to keep LB Aldon Smith in check. He
has matched the franchise mark for sacks in a season with 171/2, and Miami starting LT Jake Long
(triceps) is out for the season.

Cardinals at Seahawks

With three straight home games against NFC West rivals, the Seahawks — 5-0 in Seattle — have an
edge in the schedule that could help them make the playoffs. No team has had a bigger collapse than
the Cardinals, who won their first four but haven’t tasted victory in two months. The QB position
is a mess and they can’t stop the run.

Saints at Giants

The Saints have a three-game winning streak against Giants, including two blowouts. But New
Orleans is a different team on the road and isn’t as good as its teams of the recent past. QB Drew
Brees is 4-0 vs. the Giants, with 11 TDs and no interceptions, but he’s coming off a
five-interception debacle against Atlanta. The Giants have trips to Atlanta and Baltimore ahead and
are in dire need of a win.

Lions at Packers

Detroit’s slide has reached four and includes a 24-20 loss to Green Bay three weeks ago. The
Lions have been undisciplined and it has cost them late in games. They also don’t get after the QB
despite the likes of Ndamukong Suh, Kyle Vanden Bosch and Cliff Avril on defense. Detroit also
struggles in pass coverage and now must face QB Aaron Rodgers. Even though WR Jordy Nelson
(hamstring) is likely out and WR Donald Driver has broken thumb, the Packers still could put up the
points.

MONDAY

Texans at Patriots

It’s the best Monday night game of the season, with the winner emerging as the AFC favorite. New
England’s offense has been unstoppable, with the Patriots outscoring opponents by 170 points. The
430 they have put up are 79 more than the Texans, who rank second in scoring. A
light-up-the-scoreboard affair could be in order, even though Houston ranks sixth in defense. The
Texans are 6-0 on the road, the Patriots 4-1 at home.